City States and Government

City States and Government

The Rise of City States

The Greek word for city-state is polis.

Athens and Sparta

The biggest and most famous of the Greek city-states were Athens and Sparta. They fought together to defeat the Persians. Later they went to war against each other...for 27 years!

Independent City-States

A city-state was an independent political unit. Some city-states grew larger than others.

Geographic Isolation

High mountains surrounded plains and valleys, separating cities from one another. The mountains made it very difficult for some city-states to communicate and trade.

Different Forms of Government

Each city-state had its own form of government. We will learn about Monarchy, Aristocracy, and Oligarchy. We will also learn about Tyrants.

Monarchy

The earliest form of government in Greece was a monarchy. A monarch is a king or a queen who has supreme power. Some monarchies later became aristocracies.

What is an aristocracy?

An aristocracy is a form of government in which the upper class rules. The Greeks believed that it was the rule of "the best people" .

Oligarchy

Some city states developed an oligarchy. In this type of government, a few people who were rich land owners controlled the city-state.

Aristocracy vs Oligarchy

What is the difference between oligarchy and aristocracy? In an aristocracy, people rule because it is believed that they were just born better than others. In an oligarchy, people were rulers because they were rich.

What about everyone else?

Poor people in Greece were often not part of government. The poor had no voice and resented this. Sometimes a wealthy and powerful person who wanted power would ask the mobs of poor people to support him to overthrow the government.

Tyrants

In Greece, a tyrant was a person who took power in an illegal way. Some Greek tyrants worked to help the poor and give the poor a voice in their government.

Tyrannies

Greek tyrants were not always bad rulers. In some city-states they governed fairly and worked to improve the lives of ordinary people.Eventually, tyrannies did not last and opened the door for something brand new...DEMOCRACY.

Greek City-states and Government

Let's see how much you learned today. You may take this Quizizz more than once.

Multiple Choice

The Greek word for city-state is

• polis

• popcorn

• peanut butter

• poppy

Multiple Choice

A high hilltop that was first used for defense..

• agora

• acropolis

• aristocracy

• oligarchy

Multiple Choice

An open space where men would meet to shop, do business, and discuss politics...

• acropolis

• oligarchy

• aristocracy

• agora

Multiple Choice

Type of government ruled by a king or queen...

• tyrranny

• aristocracy

• monarchy

• democracy

Multiple Choice

Aristocracy means ruled by

• people because they are rich.

• the best people

• children

• king or a queen

Multiple Choice

Someone who takes power in an illegal way...

• Oligarch

• Monarch

• Tyrant

• Aristocrat